5 Things You Must Know About Creatine

Many people do not know anything about creatine, and those who do, are confused as to what it is and how it helps you. There are also a lot of myths about this health supplement and the serious side-effects it causes. What is creatine? What is the truth about its effects and side-effects on the body? Is it something you should think about using when you work out? We answer all your questions here.

What is creatine?

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in the body. It is found mainly in skeletal muscles of the human body, with a small amount present in the brain, heart and testes. It is derived from different amino acids and is formed in the body naturally.

It has been available as a health supplement since the early 1990s and is quite popular with professional body builders as a health supplement.

How do creatine supplements work?

What creatine basically does is give you a burst of energy, so you can do more weights and reps that you would without the supplement. It is, therefore, not something that you can have and sit back, waiting for ripped huge muscles to magically develop on your body. It simply helps to enhance your performance during workouts and exercise more intensely and for longer.

It simply helps to enhance your performance during workouts and exercise more intensely and for longer.

Before your muscles start forming, you will see a sudden jump in your weight, which happens because creatine can cause temporary water retention in your muscle cells. This is nothing to worry about, and is actually what helps improve your performance during workouts. The retention will go away as soon as you stop using creatine, leaving behind gorgeous toned muscles that the extra energy has helped you work on.

Five quick facts about creatine

These are a few things that this health supplement does, and does not do that you should know about.

• It gives you a rapid supply of energy, which helps you increase your reps as well as the amount of weights you lift.
• It helps build more muscle and lose weight more quickly than working out without this supplement.
• It can help improve brain function, decrease depression by giving you the energy boost to get up and get moving, automatically improving your mood.
• It does not cause any long term damage to the kidneys or muscles, or cause dehydration and muscle cramps.
• It is safe for everyone, including teenagers and women who are looking at getting an athletic lean body.

Creatine is best when bought in creatine monohydrate powder form, as it is not very expensive and is readily absorbed by the body. It is most effective when mixed with water for consumption. It is a great pre-workout drink, the average being about 3-6 grams daily. It has to be used with regularity and you have to work out diligently for results to show.

Ask your trainer today about creatine supplements and how you can include it in your daily workout diet.